NC Police Helicopter Pilot Arrested for 8 Counts of Child Sex Offense

A Charlotte, NC cop sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl for years. And the whole time he was in the air flying the police helicopter looking for criminals.

Perhaps the eye in the sky doesn’t lie, because now he is the criminal.

Officer Matthew Porter, 54, of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) was arrested on Tuesday after being charged with 8 counts of first degree sex offense and 20 counts of indecent liberties with a minor.

The victim, now 17, reported the incidents in Nevada, where she now lives. The victim told officials with the Nye County Sheriff’s Office that she was assaulted by Porter, whom she described as a family friend, between July of 2010 and December of 2013. The victim lived in Charlotte during that time, police say.

On Feb. 8, 2018, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office contacted CMPD with this information and CMPD immediately began an investigation. Detectives caught a plane to interview the victim in Nevada, as well as, family members there and in North Carolina.

On Tuesday morning, detectives interviewed Porter at CMPD headquarters and then placed him under arrest.

Porter, who is assigned to the Aviation Unit, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. He has been employed by CMPD since July 26, 1995. There is no indication these incidents occurred while he was on duty. In 1997 Porter began flying the police helicopter.

Statement from Chief Kerr Putney:

> “I am disappointed that one of our officers is accused of this very serious offense. We represent the law and absolutely will not tolerate one of our own violating it. It’s our job to protect this community. We have no place in our ranks for anyone who would violate the trust of a child in this manner.”

Porter is the second law enforcement officer to be arrested in Charlotte within the past 5 days. Just last Friday police arrested jail guard Jason Kersey, 29, for embezzlement. Kersey reportedly used the jail credit card for personal expenses and then showed up to work as if nothing happened.

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UPDATE: This case was dismissed in court in August 2018 due to lack of cooperation from the victim.